Why high quality UBCs are important to us and the industry

Can sheet is produced to exacting standards. Over recent years, manufacturers have reduced the thickness of can sheet, allowing more cans to be produced from the same quantity of sheet. To achieve this, can sheet must be produced to much tighter tolerances.

As a supplier of quality UBCs you will help ensure a quality end product.

The Solution

Simple technology, good housekeeping and training will increase the quality of your deliveries.

Staff training

Your staff are the key to successfully cutting contamination.

Experience tells us that employees are usually willing to make the effort to produce a quality product.

Contamination can be prevented by staff being more aware of the potential problems, and understanding the need to be vigilant. Use this website to help inform and educate staff about the importance of eliminating contaminants, by explaining the impact of contaminants on the recycling process and, ultimately, your business.

Novelis Recycling’s business development executives are happy to help with staff training. We can usually supply supporting materials to reinforce the key messages as part of an ongoing training and awareness programme.

Key areas for staff training

Materials handling

An enclosed receiving area will minimise the risk of moisture and dirt contamination.

UBCs should be stored indoors before, during and after processing – preferably on a concrete floor or hard-standing.

Baled or densified material should be stacked in such a way as to prevent contact from surface water – including snow and ice.

Processing material

Tipping loose cans into wire baskets helps to filter out smaller contaminants, e.g. glass, and can make visual inspection easier.

Control the rate of flow along conveyors with chains.

Fit grilles in holding hoppers.

Set conveyors at a high angle so that heavy objects fall back.

Check the positioning of skips. Use marks on the floor to ensure they are always replaced correctly after emptying.

Can processing equipment

Overband magnets are more effective than roller magnets for removing steel cans.

Eddy current separators provide a positive sort for aluminium UBCs after steel has been removed by an overband magnet.

It is extremely difficult to sort in a hopper. Where hand picking and sorting takes place try to use a flat conveyor if possible.

Housekeeping

Check and clean your machinery regularly

Remove loose cans from under conveyors and balers to prevent the risk of damage to the machinery and / or a build up of dirt or other contaminants.

Check magnetic separators regularly to ensure magnetic head is fully magnetised, and replace if necessary.

Ensure balers are cleaned to remove traces of other materials (e.g. paper, plastic) before baling of UBCs starts.

Check the settings on eddy current separators regularly; for example is the splitter plate set to give the maximum sort?

General cleanliness

We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping all operational areas and equipment clean.

Pay regular attention to the cleaning of floors, skips etc. This not only reduces the opportunity for contamination to occur, it is also an important aid to maintaining health and safety in the work environment and improving staff motivation.

Pay particular attention to keeping floors free of liquid.

Ensure electrical checks on equipment are carried out regularly.

Your suppliers

Practice what you preach!

Encourage and educate your suppliers to understand the importance of quality and the need to cut contamination.